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Author
Topic: new to site; long term survivor (Read 7490 times)

hello, nice to know this site exsist. I am a 20 plus years long term survivor. I am a 50 yr.old, african american woman, who was diagnosed first in 1990. I was in denial.I startd getting sick in 1994 when I had moved south from new york. Untill then I lived years in denial and ignorant about hiv and aids. my former fiance was an ex- herione addict back in 1985. We parted ways after he got very sick and had to move back home with family. Up untill that time we were living together, until he got sick and had to be hospitalized a number of times , he was even quarintined in the hospital and I was never told this man had aids, or sids as it was called at the time. He died 2 years later and it was rumored that he had aids. He also had a former girlfriend who had died of aids a year before. i will never know if he knew he had it and why I was not told, by him or his doctors since we were living together at the time. Iwas not even notified when he died so i didn't get to attend the funeral. Well here I am 20 + years later,( I stop counting years after 20) because I dont want ot fell like my number is coming up! lol. I have been blessed to raise two healthy children and become a grandmother. at the time of my final diagnosis in 1994, I prayed to god to live long enough to see my 13 and 15 year old kids graduate high school.i have been blessed to not only see them graduate high school, but to see my girl graduated college and my son move to a new york and have a son go to college and have a career. I have survived against all odds and have lost lots of friends to aids in the past two decades, I am still doing well and looking good. I have become an icon in the aids community and an activist over the years,fighting for education in our schools and communities, and helping my plwa anyway I can. I am still giving my testimony,after surviving a rough life, I am currently trying to write a book of my life. It is my pleasure to meet my new family here on this site!

It's nice to hear your story. I am a grandmother also. I was diagnosed in 1989. Please join us in the 'Positive Women' forum. Especially the dating threads. It's not all about dating, it's about our daily lives, bitches, struggles etc.

Look forward to hearing more from you! Luv,Betty

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

:-*thanks to you all, now, I am interested in going to the gathering they are having in Mexico in August.but I know I can't afford it, living off disability ($6,000 a year) If there is any help available, someone please let me know. I really want to go and meet new friends and I have never been to Mexico.

I found your post an outstanding read....you raised kids and are now a granny. Amazing huh?I am thinking of your early days of diagnosis. Indeed, they were hard years which you struggled through and endured...by sheer willfulness.

I am also a long time survivor..My lover had aids and didn't tell me.. I found out when mylover was in the hospital......Why didn't she share that with me is still a mystery..she knew this for 2 yrs..

This was back in 85, that she knew she had it...After the hospital visit I had myself checked and of course I was hiv poz as well...

I was in denial for 16 yrs..then the shit hit the fan ...I felt weak tired and started to get rashes..so I went in and my tcells were down to 27...

That's when I finally took meds..........I waited as long as possible, because I saw the side effects of azt and what it did to her and many other friends at that time, and I didn't like the outcome...............It was worth the wait...

Now we have cocktails that keeps us going...........Thank god.....Hopefully in the future they will be able to cure this dreaded disease, just dont think itwill be in my lifetime, but if it is..then I have one big major relief off my mind, body and soul...

Time will tell.........

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Live Love Laugh and dance like no ones watching.Laughter is the best medicine, so try to have a laugh everyday..Even if your not feeling your best, think about something that was funny at one time in your life and work with it.. )

I am also a long term survivor in my 22nd year, and also 10 years with a non-detectable viral load as of this month. My doctor checked my chart and told me with great fanfare the other day. He is such a sweet man. I am so grateful.

I am also very proud of you and how you have survived and raised your children. I sense that you are a fantastic person and mother. Bless you.

Hugs!!

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"He is my oldest child. The shy and retiring one over there with the Haitian headdress serving pescaíto frito."